Washing machine provided with conical rinse water distributing means



Feb. 17, 1953 M. FRANCE ET AL 2,628,488

- WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANSFiled Sept. 1'7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l [NvENTc/Rs MARTIN L. FRANCEWILLIAM G. LANDWIER AT'T UHNE Y Feb. 17, 1953 M. L. FRANCE ETAL2,523,488

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANSFiled Sept. 1'7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o o o o w 22 JNVENTURS MARTINL. FRANBE WILLIAM E. LANIIWIER ATTURNEY Feb. 17, 1953 M. L. FRANCE ET AL2,623,488

WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH CONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUTING MEANSFiled Sept. 17, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 760 I46 162 16 I66 748 4-6 48NVENTDHS MARTIN L. FRANDE WILLIAM G, LANIIWIER ZfPW ATTORNEY PatentedFeb. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE PROVIDED WITHCONICAL RINSE WATER DISTRIBUT- ING IVIEANS Application September 17,1948, Serial No. 49,682

6 Claims.

This invention relates to washing machines, and more particularly toapparatus having centrifugal extractors adapted for centrifugal rinsng.

In an application Serial No. 775,211, filed September 20, 1947, PatentNo. 2,595,609, there is shown a two-tub washing and extractor typelaundry apparatus, in which rinse water is sprayed upon laundrycontained in a vertical basket centrifuge to effect centrifugal rinsingthereof, and in which rinse water is introduced from beneath theapparatus. Such apparatus is used in conjunction with two-tubconstructions of the type generally illustrated in Nelson et a1. "Patent1,720,851, issued July 16, 1929.

The present invention constitutes an improvement "thereover, and has asan object to provide rinse water supply and distribution system in whichrinse'water may be introduced from the top under "light pressure, aftera free fall, and "thereafter be centrifugally distributed substantiallyuniformly over the entire axial length of the extractor basket.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'a construction of thetype described in which the distributing member may be readily removedfor cleaning and inspection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction in whichwater may be handily directed into a wash tub, or axially into an extractor basket for cooperation with a distributor.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an economicalstructure relatively 'simp'leindesign, but eifective to perform arinsing and damp drying action in a relatively eflicient "manner.

The above and other novel features of the invention will appear morefully hereinafter from the "following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. 'It is expressly understoodthat the drawings are employed for purposes of illustration only and arenot designed as a definition of the limits of the invention, referencebeing had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In .the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a machine of the typedescribed, with part of the cover broken away;

Figure 2'is anenlarged transverse section taken nn the'line 2--'2 ofFigure 1;

Figure '3 is asectional view taken substantially on the line 3+3 ofFigure 2;

Figure A :a vertical section taken 'on the lrregular sectional line 4-4of Figure 1;

Figure '5 is "a section taken on the :line .5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view .of a modified form of theinvention;

Figure '7 is a section taken substantially .on the line 1--'I of Figure6;

Figure 8 is a section taken substantially .on the line '88 of Figure 7:;and

Figure 9 is a modified detent-structure.

In Figures 1 and 4, there is shown an extractor tub l0 mounted upon abase or frame 12 and having a formed top deck 14. The bottom l6 of thetub 10 has extending therethrough a sleeve 18 with a journal 20 in whichthe extractor-drive shaft 22 rotates. Mounted upon the upper end of theshaft 22 is a hub member 24 :having a squared socket 2B engaging thesquared end 28 of the shaft 22. The hub 24 is flared outwardly as at '30and merges into an end wall 32 of :an extractor basket generallyindicated as at 34. The basket wall .in the arrangement shown :consistsof atperforated-cylindrical member :36 having an inturned flange 38 atits upper end and having its lower end joined to the end wall 32 as atll). It will be understood, however, that an imperforate tapered wallmay be employed where suitable discharge apertures or means :are:provided 'in the larger diameter region.

The flare 30 forms a conical seat forthe reception of a conical centermember 42, preferably closed at its upper end, extending substantiallythe entire length of the axis of the basket, and such :conical member 42is secured to "the flare v30 by :one or more screws such as -44 or othersuitable fastening means. Surrounding the-conical .member 42 andslightly spaced therefrom is a second conical member 46 slidablypositioned on three or more vane-like members 48 secured upon theconical member '42. Such members supportthe outer conical member -46 inspaced .rela- 'tion to the member 42 to provide .an .annular conicalpassage 53 into which water may be introduced for distribution along thelength of the extractor basket34, and may extendelementally of the coneor spirally thereof.

The .czonicalimember '46 is provided with a large :number of apertures52 substantially uniformly spaced over its entire area to permit waterto escape from the annular passage 50 and the structure is such thatrinse water introduced :into the open top end 54 of the conicalmember 46will travel downwardly through the annular passage 56, be impelled bythe vanes 48 .andcentrifugally thrown radially outward through .the

apertures 52 to uniformly distribute rinse water over the axial lengthof the basket 34.

portion of the pipe I2.

The top deck I4 may be clamped down against the rim of the tub I andprovided with an access or working aperture 56 surrounded by a suitablefiange' 58, extending a short distance below and into the rim of the tubI0. The deck has mounted thereon a swivel conduit arm 66 having a nozzlesuitable means may be employed to direct the flow substantially verticaland in a non-diverging stream. The conduit arm 60 extends to a verticalswivel supportingportion 66 passing through 7 an aperture 68 in the deckI4, and'such vertical portion 66 is provided with a collar I0 which isclamped between the under side of the deck I4 and the upper end of aWater inlet pipe I2 having an upwardly extending portion 14 terminatingin a cup-like socket end 16. The cup-like socket end I6 is provided witha shoulder 78 against which one side of the collar I0 may bear, theother-side of such collar bearing against a ure 1 to the position shownin dotted lines in the same figure, the conduit 96 and pipe 14 shiftfrom the misalignment shown in Figure 2 to axial alignment. It will thusbe seen that by such misalignment, flow of water through the conduit arm60 is restricted when in the rinse position shown in Figure 4 and isunrestricted when the arm is swung to the position shown in dotted linein Figure 1.

The deck I4 is provided with a marginal inverted U-flange II4 having ashort depending skirt-like rim I I6 and there is attached to the insideof such flange a cover H8 by means of an elongated piano type hinge I20.Such cover may be slightly crowned as at I22 to accommodate the conduitarm 60 when in position for supplying rinse water to the cone 46 andalso to permit the washer 80 and a gasket 82 in the form of a grommetsurrounding the aperture 68 in the deck I4. The cup-like end portion ofthe pipe 14 is secured to the deck by one or more screws 84. In thelower part of the cup-like portion I6 is a'second shoulder 86 havingtherein a gasket 88 of V-sectionand adapted to'bear against acylindrical portion 90 of the vertical part 66 of the conduit arm 60.The lower end 92 of the vertical portion of the conduit arm 60 engages athird shoulder 94 which in effect constitutes the lower end wall of thecup-like portion 16 and the bore 96 is adapted to connect with the pipeI4 so that rinse water maybe supplied to the standard hose fitting 98outside the side wall I00 of the washing' machine, and such water willthen flow f through the conduit arm 60, the nozzle 62, and

into the open end of the cone 46.

Since it will be apparent that the conduit arm 60 is' rotatably mountedwithin the cup-like portion I6, there is provided'a spring-presseddetent or stop I02 having a conical end I04 adapted to engage either oneof two arcuately spaced conical or V-shaped recesses I06 and I08 in thecylindrical edge'IIO of the collar I0. The recesses are so located as totend to hold the arm in correct position, that is radially across theextractor tub I0 and in the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, or in thedotted position shown in Figure 1, in which latter position water may besupplied from the nozzle to the wash tub I I2.

It will be observed that the vertical bore 96; of the conduit arm 60 isdisaligned from the vertical center line of the upwardly extending Thebore 96 is eccentric with respect to the collar 14 and the conduit 14 iseccentric with respect to the point of entry into the cup portion 16.Thus, as the conduit arm is swung from the position shown in Fignozzle62 to be positioned a predetermined distance above the rim of the tub I0and the top opening 54 of the cone 46. By providing a free fall of apredetermined distance between the nozzle 62 and the rim of the tub I0,there is assured an adequate vacuum break such that under nocircumstances, if the pressure in the supply pipe I2 should drop belowatmospheric, could water b siphoned from the tub I0.

It will be understood that in practice, the hose connection will beconnected to a supply of rinse water controlled by the usual tap faucet,and that when it is desired to fill the wash tub I I2, the arm 60 willbe swung to the dotted position shown in Figure 1 and the lid I I8 mayat this time be opened. The wash tub H2 is thus filled with hot orlukewarm water, and suitable detergent for washing. After washing hasbeen con cluded, laundry may be transferred to the basket 34, theconduitcarm 60 swung to the position shown in Figures 1 and 4, and thelid closed-l SO-apy water is first extracted from the laundry and bysuitable connections to outlet I24, isreturned to the wash tub II2 forreuse. When the soapy water has been extracted, fresh rinse water undercontrol of the tap and also the constriction of the disalignment of thepassages 96 and I4, at a reduced flow rate, is delivered to the cone 46.At this time, however, the outlet I24 is connected to the drain.

The extractor 34 rotates at a speed in therange of 800 or 900 R. P. M.,and such rinse water as enters the cone 46 will travel downwardly and beimpelled by the vanes 48 and centrifugally thrown through the apertures52 through the entire length and circumference of the cone 46. Suchrinse water is centrifugally thrown through laundry held against thewall 36 of the basket 34 and is thereafter removed from the tub I0through the outlet I24, the outlet I24 being connected during thisoperation, as previously described, to any suitable drain. Uponcompletion of the rinsing operation, the flow of water through theconduit arm 60 is terminated by turning on the tap, whereupon furtherrotation of the basket extracts moisture from the laundry containedtherein, producing a damp dry condition, During all of these operations,the cover I22 will be preferably closed in the position indicated inFigures 1 and 4 to prevent splash. The marginal edge of the cover I22furthest from the hinge I20 may be provided with rubber lip I23 to forma reasonably tight closure against the top of the deck I4, and the coveris bounded by side flanges such as I26, which cooperate with theinverted U-flange II 4 to prevent any possible splash escape of fluidduring the rinsing operation.

ticable.

mounting therein of a conduit 1'30 'having a standard hose connection I32 at-one end, the lat- *ter being located close to the axis of thehinge I34, andas near in alignment therewithas prac- The deformation issuch 'as to permit the connection I32 -to be arranged onan axis asnearly parallel with the hinge axis as possible.

By so arranging the hose connection in this manner, a flexible rubberhose'may be "coupled with the connection and 'little disturbance will because'd'tothe-openingand closing of the lid I28 as a result thereof.

The conduit I38 "leads to a "valve body I35 :secured to the cover 1218by a plurality :of .screws such as I38. The valve body .has a itaperhere I 40 in which there is positioned 'a plug valve member I42, suchplug valve member having a radial port I44 and xial port I46 terminatingin a-nozzle I 43 at its lowerextremity directed'to the lower edge ofthecone 46. an upwardly extending stem I-Ilapassing through a gland I52and gland nut .154, there being provided a dial handle I55 'on'the upperend thereof, above the lid "for manual rotation of the "valve plug I42.A suitable dial pointer I55 and lid indicia I51 may be provided. Theplug is held upwardly in position in its conical seat I58 by a springI80 bearing against an under shoulder I62, the spring bearing at itslower end against an annular flange I64 of a depending spring housingmember I65 secured to the valve body portion by screws I68 passingthrough the attachment flange I10.

The conduit I39 extends through the valve body as shown to the valveplug I42. The valve body is also provided with an outlet connection I12having a conduit I14 leading away therefrom beneath the cover I28, to apoint where such conduit may discharge into the wash tub I16. Theconduit I14 terminates as at I18 just short of the edge I8 of the coverI28 and is preferably inclined to assist in directing fluid downwardlyinto the opening I82 of the tub I16.

The valve plug I42 is provided with the radial port I44 previouslydescribed connected to the nozzle I 48, and also an arcuate groove portI84 extending around the plug at a distance somewhat more than 180, sothat by turning the plug I44 through an angle of 90 in either directionfrom the position shown (see Figure 8), the conduit I30 will beconnected with the conduit I12 by the arcuate port I84 to permit directflow of water from the fitting I32 into the wash tub I16.

It will thus be seen that through the valve I56, an operator may at willcontrol the flow of water, directing the same into the tub I16 ordirecting the same into the distributing cone I42. In this form, theorifice I48 will provide a suitable constriction so as to partiallyreduce the flow of water to a degree satisfactory to provide ample waterto fill the length of the cone 4B and cause uniform distribution ofwater therefrom, while at the same time guarding the distributing conefrom being unnecessarily flooded. Such constriction also assures thatthe tub II] will not be unnecessarily flooded beyond the capacity of theoutlet I24 in the drain connection.

Although a single embodiment and several modified forms of the inventionhave been illus- The plug valve has '6 -trated I and described, i t -isto "be nnderstood that the invention is not'ilimi'ted thereto. "variouschanges in the construction :and arrangement may be made withoutdeparting from :the :sp'irit of the invention, as will be apparent "tothose ski-lied in the "art, reference will be had tofithe appended'claims "for a definition. :of the limits of the invention. 1

What isclaimed is:

1. In a=washing machine,:an extractor -tubdiaving a'bottom, sidewall andtop rim,:-a drive:shaft extending upwardly through the bottom sot :saidtub substantially to the -axial icenter 'zthereo'f, a

basket mounted f or rotation thereon, rinse "water distributing meanscomprising 'an=elongated perforated cone centrally *loca'tecl'in'andssupported solely "by the basket and"-rotatable' therewith, saidcone being open-ended at its upper ismaller end, a rinse water feedmeans having a dischargei nozz'le located above the rim of=saidtuband-iiirected toward the open end of said distributing means.

2. In a washing machine, 'an-"extractor tubihaving a bottom, side wallandmeans for determining an overflow level'for "said tub, a drive shaftextending upwardly through the bottom of *said tub substantiallly to the'axial center thereof, a basket mounted for rotation thereon, rinsewater distributing means comprising "an-elongated perforated tubularmember substantially conical in 'shape centrally located in andsupported solely by the basket and rotatable therewith, said memberbeing open-ended at its upper smaller end, a rinse water feed meanshaving a discharge nozzle located above the overflow level of said tuband directed toward the open end of said distributing means.

3. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged sideby side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaftextending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tubsubstantially to the axial center thereof, an extractor basket rotatablymounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinsewater distributing means substantially conical in shape centrallylocated in said extractor basket and secured thereto for rotationtherewith, and having a water-receiving open end in the top thereoflying substantially in the plane of the top of said extractor basket, aconduit arm swivelly mounted upon said deck, said conduit arm extendingsubstantially horizontally and swivelled upon said deck for movementabout a vertical axis, said conduit being of a length and having adownwardly directed nozzle such that when swung to a positionsubstantially radial of the basket axis, said nozzle will be axiallyaligned with said basket to discharge into said opening, and said nozzlebeing located a substantial distance above the rim of said extractortub.

4. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged sideby side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaftextending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tubsubstantially to the axial center thereof, an extractor basket rotatablymounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinsewater distributing means substantially conical in shape centrallylocated in said extractor basket and secured thereto for rotationtherewith, and having a water-receiving open end in the top thereoflying substantially in the plane of the top of said extractor basket, aconduit swivelly mounted upon said deck, said conduit arm extendingsubstantially horizontally and swivelled upon said deck for movementabout a vertical axis, said conduit being of a length and having adownwardly directed nozzle such that when swung to a positionsubstantially radial vof the basket axis, said nozzle will dischargeinto said opening, and detent means for facilitating the location ofsaid arm in said radial position.

5. In a laundry apparatus, a wash tub and an extractor tub arranged sideby side, a deck member overlying the rims of said tubs, a drive shaftextending upwardly through the bottom of said extractor tubsubstantially to the axial center thereof, a cover for said extractortub hinged to said deck, an extractor basket rotatably mounted on saidshaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinse waterdistributing means substantially conical in shape centrally located insaid extractor basket, and having a waterreceiving open end in the topthereof, conduit means carried on said cover having an inlet end andoutlets directed toward said Wash tub and water-receiving opening, andvalvular means for selecting a path of flow to either one or the 1extractor tub substantially to the axial center thereof, a cover forsaid extractor tub hinged to said deck, an extractor basket rotatablymounted on said shaft in said extractor tub, an elongated tubular rinsewater distributing means substantially conical in shape centrallylocated in said extractor basket, and having a water-receiving open endin the top thereof, conduit means carried on said cover having an inletend and outlets directed toward said wash tub and said opening, saidoutlet being located in the region of the hinge of said cover andextending in substantially the same direction as the axis of said hinge,said outlet directed toward said opening being restricted, and valvularmeans carried by said cover for selecting a path of flow to either oneor the other of said outlets.

MARTIN L. FRANCE.

WILLIAM G. LANDWIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

